49er basketball teams win some, lose some

The Cal State Long Beach men's and women's basketball teams were both in action during the Thanksgiving weekend.

The men's team traveled to Michigan Saturday to face the Detroit Titans. They suffered their second defeat of the season, losing 45-52, dropping their overall record to 0-2.

CSULB fell behind early and ended the half down by nine points, shooting just 36 percent from the field, as opposed to the Titans' shooting at 65 percent.

The second half proved to be just as disastrous for the 49ers as their field-goal percentage continued to drop. They made only six of 22 shots, and only one of nine three-pointers.

Guard James Cotton was the only 49er to score in double figures. He scored 12 points. Akeli Jackson added 8 points and a team-leading 12 rebounds.

The Titans, who were red-hot in the first half, cooled down in the second, shooting only 36 percent. Despite a poor second-half shooting performance, the Titans finished the game making almost 55 percent of their field goals, including three out of six threepointers.

After two exhibition wins, the women's basketball team officially opened the 1995-96 season playing in a weekend tournament in Oregon.

The 49ers were one of four participants in the University of Oregon Pepsi-Shootout Tournament. Houston, Oregon, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo were the other participating teams.

In the first game Friday, the 49ers faced the Oregon Ducks, losing 56-79. Both teams scored 13 field goals in the first half, but the Ducks made 10 more free throws, taking an eight point half-time lead.

The Ducks widened the lead in the second half, outscoring the 49ers again at the free throw line. The Ducks attempted 35 free throws, making 26, while the 49ers attempted only seven, making four.

On Saturday, the 49ers defeated Cal Poly SLO, 66-51, improving their overall record to 3 and 1. The game was close throughout the first half. Despite shooting only 29 percent, the 49ers went into the locker room down by just two points.

The 49ers came out strong in the second half, outscoring Cal Poly SLO by 17 points, earning another victory. While Cal Poly SLO continued to struggle offensively, CSULB made half of their 34 field goals.

The 49ers were led by Akia Hardy's 16 points. She also made three three-pointers and had eight assists. Toby Metoyer added 14 points and Ja'net Davis had 10 rebounds.